Bronagh’s mum: ‘I am the proudest parent on this earth’

Brendan McDaid

The mother of popular young Derry woman Bronagh McMenamin has spoken of her pride in her “amazing and inspirational” daughter as the family prepared to lay her to rest.

Hundreds of tributes to Bronagh have been shared since she passed away on Tuesday.

Bronagh was diagnosed with cystic fibrosis as a baby. She had been ill for the past year and died peacefully at the City Hospital in Belfast.

The much-loved young woman had played with Derry City FC Ladies for several years and was a popular member of staff at Tesco Lisnagelvin.

Speaking ahead of her funeral tomorrow morning, her mother Margaret described her daughter as “amazing”.

She said: “Between me and her daddy and her brother Aaron, the way people say ‘stand tall and be proud’, we couldn’t stand tall enough.

“She was just so inspirational, lovable, adorable and amazing. She was just fantastic, and she made everybody laugh.”

In a recent Facebook post, Bronagh explained about cystic fibrosis and what living with the condition involved, in a bid to spread awareness and to explain to those who might not know about it. The post has proved inspirational to many.

Bronagh’s mother said her daughter has been in and out of hospital over the past 14 to 15 months.

“I think she just got exhausted,” Margaret said. “She put up a good fight.

“Even when she was ill, she had her make-up on, fully dressed- she loved her style, and when she was going out in the town she was like a supermodel. She was just so stunningly beautiful.

“She was my daughter and I am the proudest parent ever put on this earth,” Margaret added.

Requiem Mass for Bronagh McMenamin is due to be held at Immaculate Conception Church at 10am on Friday.